On July 4, 142 new Airmen from the 344th Recruiting Squadron’s Delayed Entry Program took the Oath of Enlistment before the Texas Rangers baseball game July 4 in Arlington, Texas. Lt. Col Sean McKenna, commander of the 344th RCS, administered the oath in front of more than 45,000 people. “Getting the chance to work with the Texas Rangers and put the Air Force front and center on the 4th of July is a wonderful opportunity," Colonel McKenna said. “The fans are always so supportive and the new recruits get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be in the spotlight on one of our nation’s most significant days.” Pre-game festivities included 12 Air Force recruiters holding the U.S. Flag in the outfield, two Air Force mini-jet airplanes on the ground and a formation of Air Force F-16s performing a fly-over. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Dustin Beard)

Introduction Thank you for your interest in joining the Air Force Recruiting Service (AFRS) leadership team. This fact sheet briefly describes a commander's pivotal role in leading one of our squadrons to mission accomplishment. The continuing success of Air Force recruiting rests upon the capable leadership of talented Airmen conducting the mission.

About The mission of AFRS is the indispensable first step of replenishing the Air Force's combat capability with highly-trained, highly-motivated and expeditionary-minded Airmen. People remain the strength of our Air Force. Our nation relies upon a steady influx of young Americans to keep our Air Force the world's best.

Leadership The continuing success of AFRS, as with any world-class organization, rests upon great leadership. We're looking for lieutenant colonels and majors who are ready to accept the challenge as recruiting squadron commanders.

Squadron commanders lead committed NCOs to recruit 100 percent of the Air Force's enlisted force, totaling 27,800 new Airmen this year from across America. Squadron commanders also lead NCOs to recruit 100 percent of the active-duty Air Force's Officer Training School requirement, equaling more than 400 line officers and 90 percent of the Air Force's non-line officer health professionals, equaling more than 1,000 doctors, dentists and nurses and others.

Support With fewer bases across the United States, recruiting squadron commanders and their troops "are the Air Force" in many large and small communities. Squadron commanders regularly interface with civic leaders and guide participation in high-profile events aimed at increasing Air Force awareness within the general public.

Inside the squadron Of course, squadron commanders don't shoulder the challenge alone. They're supported by a cadre of top-notch senior NCOs who are highly experienced and accomplished recruiters. These SNCOs serve in key leadership positions along with a group of bright junior officers, serving as operations, support and officer accessions flight commanders. Dedicated civilians also support the commander, headquarters staff and each flight chief. A squadron commander's scope and responsibility managing resources is substantial, including more than 100 personnel, about 40 recruiting offices, about 70 vehicles and a $1.4 million budget.

Outside the squadron The support recruiting squadrons receive is plentiful, from senior officers and other world-class professionals who can really help draw a crowd. Squadrons enjoy local and national marketing support, too.

AFRS Headquarters spends nearly $50 million per year providing national TV, radio, print and online advertising to educate the American public about the Air Force. AFRS also supports a host of traveling national assets, including NASCAR show cars, a traveling static F-16 and a Health Professional Mobile Tour to help recruiters tell the Air Force story and to generate leads at local fairs, festivals, sporting events, air shows and NASCAR events.

Locations There are 24 squadron locations throughout the United States. The command's three groups are located at New Cumberland, Pa. , Lackland AFB, Texas and Hill AFB, Utah with AFRS headquarters on Randolph AFB, Texas.

While the challenges of command are many, the rewards are abundant. Challenges include bringing a mission focus, common identity and sense of community and support to a geographically-separated force and its families. Rewards include celebrating the career milestones and significant achievements of your troops.

Selection AFRS squadron commander selection is as follows:

-- Per Air Education and Training Command Commander and Force Development initiatives, AFRS squadron commanders are selected from the consolidated Air Force Personnel Center Support Squadron Commander Candidate List.